Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Jesus Christ completes every believer. The Greek word translated “complete” means to be completely full, crammed, or fully satisfied. In His grace, God gives us the Gift that keeps on giving. No matter how “needy” we become, Jesus is all we need.
Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
The truth of this verse plays itself out over and over again in daily life. As is common in Hebrew poetry, the first part of the verse stands in contrast to the last part.
If a person is wise then they will receive commandments. “Receive” should be understood as “listen” or “obey”. It doesn’t mean that a person will get more rules to follow, but rather it means that he/she is receptive to instruction. Continue reading
Psalm 55:16-17 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
David spent a good portion of his life running from his enemies. Psalm 55 chronicles his reaction to one such instance. He calls upon the LORD in his time of trouble. This is a very wise thing to do. Difficult times are when the people of God should draw close to God, seeking protection and strength. It is at these times when we recognize very clearly our weakness and dependence. Continue reading
I was reading through the book of Revelation when I came across this verse.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
After reading this, I had to pause for a moment and ask myself if I could honestly say the last five words and mean them. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” I mean, I want Jesus to come back, but do I want Him to come back now? This led me to another verse. Continue reading
But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Jeremiah lived in a dark day in Judah’s history. He faithfully preached God’s message to the people, but they did not listen. The verse above is part of Jehovah’s assessment of them. They did not obey or even accept correction for their evil ways. God then states that “truth is perished”.
When we turn away from God’s truth, it becomes dead (ineffective) to us. It has, in effect, perished in our lives. Christians need to guard against this and accept the truth that God has revealed through His Word. We must not let the cares of life, our culture, or anything turn us away from God’s message. When truth dies in our life, our fellowship with God goes with it. When we follow His precepts and wisdom, we can have a vibrant spiritual life as we obediently live for Him.
5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
As we enter into this election year, the words of this passage of Scripture should give us perspective. Politicians of all kinds make promises and sound as though they can solve every problem each one of us has. However, most of their rhetoric is just that. It is rare that any government official lives up to his or her promises. Continue reading
Galatians 2:6-10
6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Continue reading
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:4)
Human beings have a dual nature. We all have a physical part and a spiritual part. In the verse above, Jesus addresses how each part supports its life. Continue reading
Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most infamous kings of the Old Testament. He conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple, and sent the Jews into exile or captivity. In Daniel chapter 4, however, the king is humbled by God. After Nebuchadnezzar boasts of his achievements, God gives him an odd mental disease (know in modern times as lycanthropy or porphyria) where he is forced to live as an animal for seven years. Continue reading
Holiness has become a dying discipline among God’s people. This is a tragedy and one which should be remedied. Holiness is the primary theme in the book of Leviticus to the people of Israel and a common theme in the Bible as a whole. In short, God tells us in His Word, “Be different! Do not act like everyone else. You are special to Me. Be like Me.” Continue reading